Pleasing the Lord

At a recent Summer Youth Group gathering, Karissa Heckens led the devotional time. Below is a recap of that lesson. Review the questions at the end for yourself and reflect on “Pleasing the Lord.”

Pleasing the Lord

Do you ever worry about what other people think about you? I know that I do. In fact, I seem to be frequently concerned with how individuals in my life view me. I want my professors to think of me as a good student, my classmates to see me as helpful and intelligent. My friends to see me as kind and respectable, and my church family to think of me as loving and generous.

Over the years, I have learned that trying to keep up a certain image for others can be exhausting. It is impossible to please everyone or to control what they think, and trying to do so only causes burnout, anxiety, and frustration.

Fortunately, God wants to free us from the hopeless fight to constantly put on a mask in order to please man. He loves you just as you are and sees you as His blameless child. As a result of this unconditional love, we should desire to please Him instead!

Bible Verses

Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. Colossions 1:22

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would no be Christ’s servant. Galations 1:10

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:15-16

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts and even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. Psalm 139:1-4

Reflection Questions

Do you often worry about what others think about you? How do you want them to see you?

Why is it better to try pleasing God, instead of man?

What can you do to try to please God? Is it possible to do so?

How can you prevent yourself from worrying about what others think about you?